Heavier-than-air flying-machine.



A. B. SPRINGSTEAD. HBAVIER THAN AIR FLYING MACHINE.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED- BEPT.6, 1911. Patented Sept. 3

A. B. SPRINGSTEAD. HEAVIEB THAN AIR FLYING 0mm.

1,087,353. APPLICATION FILED BEPLE, 1911. Patented Sept. 3' 8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LU-IA 'UNOGIAPH CO" UMNINGTONI D- C.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

P HIJ. u-l l "I" "I I .ll

A. B. SPRINGSTBAD.

HBAVIBB THAN AIR FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED M36, 1911.

ABRAM B. SPRINGSTEAD, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

HEAVIER-THAN-AIR FLYIN G-MACHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 5, 1911.

Patented Sept. 3,1912.

Serial No. 647,755.

To all whom it ma? concern Be it known hat I, ABRAM B. SPRING- s'rnao, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Heavier- Than-Air Flying-i achines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in heavier-than-air flvin machines.

The objects of the invention are, first, to increase and improve the stability of fiying machines. Second, to provide improved steering means for such machines. Third, to )rovide improved means of controlling such heavier-thanair flying machines. Fourth, to provide improved means of collapsing such structures so that they will occupy the minimum space when not in the 2111.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of oieration and economies of construction will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of m invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a referred embodiment of my invention is fiilly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a. part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of my improved fiyin machine as it a pears when at rest. Fig. I is an inverted p an view of the same. Fig. III is a front e ovation view of the framework, the forwardly-projecting rudder device and stem structure being omitted, the osition of the side wings, when the macliine is in flight, being indi- (:ated by dotted lines. Fig. IV is a detail elevation view in broken section of the adjusting device forthe upier collapsible structure Fig. V- is-a detail view of. the adjusting means forv the rearward hori-. zontal rudder.

In the drawing similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Consideringthe numbered; parts of the drawin the bottom :rib or keel- 1;extends longitu inally from stem .to sternof the main body and is provided with a framework above, something like that of a box kite, the same being made up of lower frame bars 22 and upper frame bars 33, the box being disposed upon one corner and being provided with a transverse bar 4 bracing the same and serving as attaching means for various parts. The said bar 4 extends at each side to carry side planes 10, as will hereafter appear.

Uprights 5-5 are at each side, both front and rear, the rear not being shown as they are exactly back of the front. A cross bar 6 connects the said standards to the rib or keel 1. Caster wheels 7 are carried at the bottom and these caster wheels are connected together for steering purposes by the transverse link bar 8 connected to a horizontal bell crank 9 secured to each front caster wheel at each end. These bell cranks are connected by cords or cables 21 to the forward rudder.

Lower side planes 10 are secured to the cross bars 4 at each side, see particularly F igs. I and II. These are provided with wing extensions 10' which arehinged to the side lanes on oblique lines converging toward t e rear of the machine, and projecting arms 11 extend up from the frame of these wingextensions to limit their upward movement. These wings are covered by canvas 12, and are provided with longitudinal diagonal braces 13. The side wing extensions 10 are free to drop downwardly, except as. they are acted upon b air currents or ,b the air when the machine is bemg prope led.

.A. cable 14 is connectedto each wing and extends down to a guiding pulley 16, then upwardly tothe pivoted pilot back lever 1 ,The cable. 14 is suspendedbya short cord 15,..connected to the ,sidenvings 10 in order that,-t he same will deliver freely and not ,becom-ientangled. Thefrontportion ofthe kee1,1 is. upcurved and side ribs 19 extend forwardly and the parts are conlnected', together, forming'the stem of the machine. Lateral. wings 20e20;extend outwardly and join the side win s.1't) "r10, as clearly appears in Fig; I. Windows 21 are disposed oIi-this forward o1't-ion 'so.that the pilot can look down wit out encountering the strong air current. This curved portion secures the delivery of the air current against the side wings and insures't-hatalley will be spread when the machine is in 1g it. i

The rudder lever 22' is connected by universal joint 25 to the front point or stem of the machine, and carries a horizontal blade 23, above which is disposed a longitudinal vertical blade 24. A cross arm 26 affords a handle for the pilot to manipulate this rudder. It will be seen that he can tilt the rudder up or down, or laterally, as he chooses, and has has complete and perfect control of the flying machine, both as to its altitude and as to its lateral movement. It is also clear that he is enabled to control the side wings 10 by means of the body lever 17. By leaning back against the lever and bringing both wings down, a considerable resistance can be offered to the progress of the machine and insures a reaction of speed at any time that it may be desired.

A horizontal rudder 27 is pivoted to the rear of the machine and is controlled by a forwardly-extending lever 28, which is connected to the cable 29, 30, which is disposed over suitable pulleys 29', 29' 29', 30' on the frame of the main body of the machine. A segmental lock 31 is connected to the cable 29, 30, so that the rudder 27 can be set at any angle desired, or the same can be very readily manipulated, as desired.

The masts 32, 83 at front and rear of the machine carry the upper frame structure the various members of which are hinged together, there being upper frames 85, 35 and lowerframes 36' 36, see Figs. I and III, which are collapsi 1e on dia nal lines. The parts are supported bysuitable lon itudinal'top bars 34, which-are guided y the masts 32, 83. the bars 34 bein adjustable by means of the cables 84',-3 which are disposed over the guiding'pulley 84" on the front mast 32. By mampulatingthese cables, theframes 85 and 36 can be raised. The upper frames'35 are coyeredi'bfc'anvas 37, 87, and the lower frames 3fi'arefcovered by canvas 38,38. Side wings 89 are hinged at'each side of this collapsib e structure and are disposed with stops 39' 'so that'when the machine is inuse they point outwardlandjupwardly, see 'dottedlin'esinfFig. I 1 andgreatlyincrease the stabilitymf t iefmachine. R propeller 40, which 153' driven by a suitable gasolene engine 41, pr-btherfiuitarea of theblads is able' power, herein'dicated' in "cor'iventioiial' manner, is suitably disposed about midway of thel' mainfi frame of :the'fihmhih"; see arac iauy- Figs. 4 II and mu Tlie-;blade's of the ropeller are broad, their' out er e'nds' being' efined by arcd'ilo f P -encasemencenter'bf rotation thereof. xThti' combined coezttenlsive with the circle. Windows 42' are provided in the lower side canvas 42 for the convenience of passengers that may be occupying the machine.

From this description, itwill be seen'that my improved flying machine can be operated either as a bi-plane or as a monolane. When the upper structure is colapsed, the structure is substantially a monoplane. When the structure is elevated, it is a bilane with an especially effective structure or increasing the stability of the machine.

I have described my improved flying machine in the form preferred by me. I desire to state, however, that much of the structure is shown in a conventional way, and that many modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

I desire to claim the structure specifically, as shown and also broadly as defined in the ap ende claims.

avin thus described my invention, what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a flying machine, the combination of a suitable keel; a suitable motor and propeller; a box-like body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; colla sible wings hinged to the said planes on iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; 0. collapsible box-like balancing structure above the said main body; wings hinged at each side of said collapsible balancing structure with lapsible structure; means or manipulating -and adjusting said collapsible structure; forwardly-extending braces connected to the upwardly deflected front end of said keel ,to form a stem structure; a rudder with a ;horizontal plane and a longitudinal vertical plane-connected by a universal joint to the said stem structure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said'rudder extending rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back lever disposed back of the said pilot seat; connections therefrom tothe lateral wings of the main planes; pivoted carr ing wheels on suitable standards beneath t e said machin'e;connections there- I from to the rudder whereby thesaid wheels .will be deflected in the manipulation of the rudder to facilitate steering the machine 'instarting and ali hting; and a horizontal rudder hin d to t e rear of the machine nvith suitab e cable connections for mani ulating and adjusting the same, all coactmg isubstantialiy'as described and for the pur- 1 pose specified. 1

iii?) ill) 2. In a H in machine the combination of a suitable 'ee a suitable motor and pro-.

peller; a box-like body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the 1' structure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back lever disposed back of the said )llOt seat; connections therefrom to the ateral win of the main planes pivoted carr in \vieels on suitable stan ards beneat he said machine; connections therefrom to the rudder whereby the said wheels will be deflected in the manipulation of the rudder to facilitate steering the machine in starting and alighting; and a horizontal rudder hin ed to the rear of the machine with suitab e cable connections for manipulating and adjusting the same, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

3. In a ii in machine the combination of a suitable ee a suitable motor and propeller; a box-like body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; collapsible wings hinged to the said planes on (iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; forwardly-extending braces connected to the upwardly deflected front end of said keel to form a stem structure; a rudder with a horizontal plane and a longitudinal vertical plane connectcd by a universal joint to the said stem structure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back lever disposed back of the said )ilOl', seat; connections therefrom to -the ateral wings of the main planes;-carrying wheels on suitable standards beneath the said machine; and a horizontal rudder hinged to the rear of the machine with suitable cable connections for manipulating and adjusting the same; all coactmgsubstantially specified," l y 4. Ina fl in machine the combination of a suitable 8,8 a 'suitab diagonal'horizontal transverse braces across as described and for the' purpose 1e motor and propeller;" a"'box-hke body structure disposed.- above thekeel with suitable canvas sides;

of said keel to form a stem structure; a rudder with a. horizontal plane and a longitudinal vertical plane connected by a universal joint to the said stem structure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the pilot seat; carrying wheels on suitable standards beneath the said machine; and a horizontal rudder hinged to the rear of the machine with suitable cable connections for manipulating and ad'usting the same, all coacting substantia ly as described and for the purpose specified.

5. In a fi in machine the combination of a suitable lice a suitable motor and propeller; a box-like body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; colla sible wings hinged to the said planes on iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; forwardly-extending braces connected to the upwardly deflected front end of said keel to form a stem structure; a rudder with a horizontal plane and a longitudinal vertical plane connected by a universal joint to the said stem structure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back lever disposed back of the said pilot seat; connections therefrom to the ateral wings of the main planes; and carr ing wheels on suitable standards beneath tie said machine, all coacting substantially as described and for the pur ose specified.

6. In a fl ing machine, t 1e combination of a suitable ee a suitable motor and propel1er;. a--'box-l1ke body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; colla sible wings hinged to the said planes on iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; a collapsible box-like balancing structure above the said main body; win s hinged at each side of saidrrcollapsible alancing structure with stops disposed to permit said wings to project outwardl and upwardly; suitable masts for gui ing and sup orting said collapsible structure; means fbr manipulating and jad'usting -said collapsible structure; forwar ly-extending braces connected to the upwardly defiected frontiend of'said keel to-form a= stem-"structure; "a rudder connected-by-"a" universal 'joint to'th'e said stem structure; a pilotseat; a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back leveridisposed back of the pilot seat;connections-therefrom to the lateral wings of the main planes pivoted 'carrying wheelson suitableistan ards beneath the "said-maohine' connections therefrom to-the arudder whereby the said wheels will be deon suitable standar fiected in the manipulation of the rudder to. facilitate steering the machine in starting and alighting; and a horizontal rudder hinged to the rear of the machine with suitable cable connections for manipulating and adjusting the same, all coactmg substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

7. In a flying machine, the combination of a suitable keel; a suitable motor and propeller; a box-like body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; collapsible wings hinged to the said planes on iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; forwardly-extending braces connected to the upwardly deflected front end of said keel to form a stem structure; a rudder connected by a universal joint to the said stem structure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extendin rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back lever isposed back of the said pilot seat; connections therefrom to the lateral win a of the main planes dpivoted carrying whee s s beneath the said machine; connections therefrom to the rudder whereby the said wheels will be deflected in the manipulation of the rudder to facilitate steering the machine in starting and alighting; and a horizontal rudder hinged to the rear of the machine with suitable cable connections for manipulating and adjusting the same, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose s ecified.

8. In a flying mac ine, the combination of a suitable keel ;*a suitable motor and propeller; a box-like body structure-disposedabove-the keel with suitable canvassides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; colla sible wings hinged to the said planes on iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; forwardly-extending braces'connected tothe upwardly deflected front end of said -keel"to form a stem structure;a rudder connected by a universal joint to the said stem structure; a; pilot seat;a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the-pilot seat; connections therefrom to the lateral win of the main lanes ;;-,car in wheels onsuit-I able stan ards benea 'Tt e-tsaid machine; and :a horizontal rudder; ,ihinged ltO; the; rear of the'machine" with suitable cableiconnections for manipulating and adjusting the same, all coactingt substantially; ale-described and for-the purpose specified. 4 a t 4 the cotnbinationof 9. In a flying machine; I a-suitable ee a auitablemotor and propeller; a box-hirebody' struoture dlsposedabove the keel with'suitablecanvasaides;

diagonal horizontal transveroe braces across f the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; forwardly extending braces connected to the upwardly deflected front end of said keel to form a stem structure; a rudder connected by a universal joint to the said stemstructure; a pilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extending rearwardly to the ilot seat; carrying wheels on suitable stun ards beneath the'said machine; and a horizontal rudder hinged to the rear of the machine with suitable cable connections for manipulating and adjusting the same, all coactlng substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

10. In a ii in machine, the combination of a suitable tee a suitable motor and propeller; a box-like body structure disposed above the keel with suitable canvas sides; diagonal horizontal transverse braces across the same; planes on said braces beyond the said body; colla sible wings hinged to the said planes on iagonal lines at each side converging toward the rear; forwardly-extending braces connected to the upwardly deflected front, end of said keel to form a stem structure; a rudder connected by a unipilot seat; a handle to the said rudder extendin rearwardly to the pilot seat; a back lever isposed back of the said pilot seat; connections therefrom to the lateral wings of the main planes; and carrying wheels on suitable standards beneath the said machine, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

11. In a heavier than air fi ing machine, the combination of a frame with supporting planes therefor; a suitable motor and ropeller; laterally-dis osed adjustable wlngs pivoted to the said rame in oblique relation to the mid-line thereof; suitable cable connections for said adjustable wings to the structure; means for manipulating and ad- -justed.to be operated by the body of the pilot; a: forwardly-disposed rudder with a rearwardl -projecting ever; a handle disposed in ront of the ilot; and a universal oint for suspending t e rudder whereby it may-be manipulated in all directions, as specified. I; -1;

12. In a flying machine, the combination of a main bed with lateral planes' a suitable motor an propeller; a collapsible box like balancing structure above said main 'body;-win hinged at each side of said collapsible ba ancing structure with stops disposed to'permit said wings to project out- "wardly and upwardly; suitable masts for guiding and sup orting said collapsible structure; means or manipulating and adjustm'gvsaid collapsible structure; and suitable" rudder means for steering and controllin the same, as s cifled.

18. n a flying mac ine, the combination of a main body with lateral planes; a suit- In witness whereof, I have hereunto set able motor and propeller; a balancing strucmy hand and seal in the presence of two ture agoveithefsaiddnlljailn body; wings hingeg. witnesses.

at eac si e o sai a ancing structure wit 4 stops disposed to rmit said wings to pro- ABRAM SPRINGSTEAD' ject outwardly nng upwardly; and suitable Witnesses:

rudder means for steering and controlling LUELLA GREENFIELD,

the same, as specified. MARGARET GLASGOW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents-each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Wuhington, D. 0. 

